Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PlatMM, BA and Alaska Emerald, HHonors DIA, Accor, Marriott Titanium, IHG Plat Amb, UA Silver, AA
Posts: 4,516
The neighborhood around the Hilton in UIO is, according to Lonely Planet, quite dangerous and taking cabs even 1-2 blocks is recommended--that was written in 2005.
Now, when we were there last week, I was amazed to see busy, crowded streets into late nights, with lots of activity at bars and restaurants and night clubs nearby. Still, the 2-3 blocks nearest the hotel weren't that great, but it seems the Mariscal neighborhood is really improving quickly! Dozens of new restaurants and bars, and also they had an opera performance on Saturday night at 9pm, where they set up a stage and closed the road, for us to watch! A nice surprise.